AHIMA Virtual Laboratory: Where Theory Meets Practice
To help bring experiential learning to the HIM academic experience, AHIMA developed the Virtual Laboratory—an Internet-based, practical, participative, HIM and health information technology (HIT) work environment. Students can access and experience state-of-the-art software like the master patient index (MPI), encoders, electronic document management systems (EDMS), transcription and speech recognition, and other applications they’ll regularly use in the working world. Lessons and activities designed specifically for the lab applications allow students to test their skills and decision-making ability without jeopardizing the privacy, security, or integrity of real medical records!
Useful in the traditional classroom or through distance-learning, students will have their first encounter with, or brush up on, standard processes, identity management, identification and correction of medical records, preventing the creation of duplicate records, and more. The Lab is essential in preparing students for their on-site experiences.
Here’s how it works:Step 1: Your school enrolls in the Virtual Lab by submitting an enrollment application to AHIMA. For school enrollment forms, click here.
Step 2: When AHIMA receives the application with payment (check, PO, or credit card), an individual registration web page is created for your school, and orientation materials are sent to the school registrar.
Step 3: The school registrar or instructor begins the user registration process by adding individual user names to the page, and then clicks a button to generate a registration e-mail for each new user (instructors and/or students).
Step 4: Each VLab user receives a registration email with a unique link, which they must click to continue their individual user registration. The emails (users receive up to a total of 3 emails to complete the registration process) direct them through the registration process, and a “final registration email” informs them when their registration is complete.
Step 5: User accounts are established in each of the lab applications upon completion of individual user registration.
Step 6: Instructors select lessons and activities and provide them to their students to guide them through their use of the Virtual Lab. Click Instructors or Students for more information on lab resources.
Instructor Resources
AHIMA’s Virtual LabThe concept of AHIMA’s Virtual Lab is to provide colleges and universities with a single source for virtual access to a full array of core HIM technologies, along with the supporting tools and resources to allow successful and effective integration of these technologies into individual courses and lessons. The Virtual Lab will allow students to actually work with the technology they will encounter in the workplace, in an environment that closely simulates real world application.
What to expect once your school has enrolled in the Virtual Lab:
Step 1: Your school will receive orientation materials to begin registering individual users.
Step 2: Instructors will be given access to the Virtual Lab Instructors’ Community of Practice (CoP), an online repository for the lab guides, lessons and activities.
Step 3: Instructors can access the Virtual Lab materials on-demand, or learn more about the lab through live webcasts and in person training.
Step 4: Instructors select specific activities for their students, based on curriculum needs.
- What Apps Can I Use? The Virtual Lab includes a variety of critical HIM software applications. Each application is based on a commercially available product, and has been customized or configured to optimize its usability for experiential learning. Instructors are provided with access to all applications and instructional materials, and can select the specific applications and activities their students will use based on their curriculum requirements. All the lab applications are included and available with your Virtual Lab subscription. For a full list of lab applications, click here
Instructor Training:
- Free webcasts are held throughout the year for Virtual Lab instructors to help them gain familiarity with each of the applications. The monthly schedule is published on the Virtual Lab instructors CoP in the “User Group Webcast Training” category.
Resources:
- Instructor training materials include suggestions for using the lab in the HIM curriculum. Virtual Lab staff is available for training assistance and consultation.
- Instructors choose appropriate software applications and corresponding lessons for their students, based on their own curriculum needs. All lessons and guides are available through an online repository.
- Lessons include step-by-step procedures for using the application, including login instructions for the application. Resources are available in a variety of formats, including audio webcasts/demos, simulations, and text documents with step-by-step procedures for using the live applications. For sample simulation, click here.
- Instructors can customize the materials for their own use, making them available to their students by incorporating them into learning management systems, or distributing by e-mail or print-outs.
Lab Setup and Technical Services: Lab staff provides system maintenance for the applications, and is available for assistance with lab setup, review of user materials (especially helpful for online programs) and general user support. The Virtual Lab is completely internet-based, requiring minimal set-up on the user’s PC, or in your school PC lab! System Requirements
Testimonial:
“AHIMA’s Virtual Lab was a dream… It's so wonderful to see it come to fruition. And now to be an educator and actually be able to use it to help prepare future professionals is so awesome.” Kay Folck
For more information about subscribing to AHIMA’s Virtual Lab, please submit a customer support request
Student Resources
A Flexible Resource for StudentsThe Virtual Lab can be used in the classroom or from home, and the applications are available 24 x 7, for access on your own schedule. The lab applications may provide your first exposure to health information software; give you the opportunity to try out new software functions you haven’t used before; or brush up on standard processes and tools for coding, identity management, deficiency management, chart analysis, and more.
How Does the Virtual Lab Work?
Step 1: Your school registrar or instructor begins your VLab registration process by adding your name to a web registration page, which generates a registration e-mail for you (the sender is virtual.lab@ahima.org).
Step 2: Your registration email will include a unique link which you must click to continue the individual user registration. If you’ve forgotten your AHIMA ID and Password, or think you don’t have one, the “click here to skip this step” link will assist you. Some registrations require entry of an access code – this is determined by your school. If you’re prompted to enter an “access code”, you will need to purchase a student packet (directions below).
Step 3: Once you’ve gotten through the first email link, you will receive up to two more emails prompting you to complete the registration process. The “final message” will inform you when your registration is complete.
Step 4: User accounts are automatically established in each of the lab applications upon completion of the individual user registration. On the day following completion of your registration, you’ll receive an email from Surgient (ahima.demoservers.com) with your ID and password for your VTMS account. Other accounts will be set up 1-2 business days after you complete your registration.
Step 5: Wait for further directions from your instructor (he/she will provide an assignment or other materials with login instructions) before you begin using the Virtual Lab.
How to Purchase a Student Packet with Access Code
Students who need to purchase a student packet for registration may use the Virtual Shopping Cart to purchase the packet online, or their school may make them available for purchase through the school bookstore. Your instructor will provide information on this if your school requires purchase of the student packets.
Once you have completed your purchase, please allow up to 48 business hours to fulfill your access code order via email.
If you need help in retrieving your My AHIMA ID and Password, please go to Email My Password to get your ID and password resent to the email address you have on your profile.
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